The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance presented its annual Preservation Achievement Awards November 8 to five restoration and rehabilitation projects, one new building, and two groups and one individual for leadership in preservation education and advocacy. Three projects received honorable mention.

The awards were announced at the Preservation Alliance's 20^th anniversary celebration at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. Since 1989, the awards have recognized outstanding construction projects, as well as individuals and groups, for their contributions to the state's preservation movement.

The 2005 Preservation Achievement Award winners for construction projects were:

· The restoration of the federal-era Colony House in Keene by Joslin Frank.

· Portsmouth Housing Authority's rehabilitation and re-use of the former Cottage Hospital for senior housing.

· The dramatic rescue and revitalization of the prominent Eagle Block in Newport by the Economic Corporation of Newport and many partners.

· First United Methodist Church (Littleton)'s restoration of its circa 1901 stained glass windows.

· The preservation of the 1937 Art Deco Terminal Building led by the City of Manchester's Department of Aviation.

· The new Shaker Table Restaurant at Canterbury Shaker Village which compliments and enhances the internationally-significant campus of historic buildings

Two other groups were recognized for outstanding education, advocacy and planning

· The Rochester-based Charles Canney Camp #5 works across the state helping community groups restore Civil War statues

· Recently revived, the Hooksett Heritage Commission, under the leadership of Kathleen Northrup, serves as a model for others with its effective public programs, planning and promotion work.

· Edward M. Clark was recognized for acquiring, restoring and interpreting an unparalleled collection of locomotives, log haulers, bridges, dam machinery and other devices that portray New England's legacy of architecture, engineering and transportation history.

· The preservation of Bedford's French-Atwood Barn and its re-use as a branch of Laconia Savings Bank, an accessibility project at the former GAR Building in Peterborough, and a façade restoration in downtown Claremont won honorable mentions.

"This year's awards offer inspiration and incredible models of community development stewardship to others across the state," said Jennifer Goodman, executive director of the Preservation Alliance. "The recent flooding in the Gulf Coast, and here at home, reminds us of the importance of place and the work of the many participants in these complex and challenging projects."

The Alliance's program was sponsored by Christopher P. Williams Architects and TMS Architects.

The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance is the statewide organization dedicated to preserving historic buildings, communities and landscapes through leadership, education and advocacy. Current priorities include providing training and technical assistance to community leaders as well as promoting barn preservation, the use of easements and funding for the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program.

More on the awards:

Restoration, Rehabilitation and Revitalization Category

Joslin Kimball Frank

This "blue ribbon" restoration, rehabilitation and reuse by a descendant of a century-long family owner secures the future of the Colony House in Keene after 40 years of uncertainty.

(photo: John Cotton)

Partners:
Richard M. Monahon, Jr., A.I.A., Architects
New England Wood Designs
Foundation for the Preservation of Historic Keene
N.H. Division of Historical Resources

City of Portsmouth, Portsmouth Housing Authority

The rehabilitation of the 1895 pavilion-plan Cottage Hospital is a preservation landmark in the City of Portsmouth because of the excellent quality of work and its site on a hill dramatically visible from downtown. After two decades of under-use and ambiguity about its future, the City adapted it for affordable senior housing.

(Photo: Preservation Company)

Partners:
Goduti/Thomas Architects
Ricci Construction Company
Preservation Company
Conservation Architecture
Portsmouth Advocates

Economic Corporation of Newport

Tenacious local preservationists with vision and determination met extraordinary rehabilitation and budget challenges to revive the Eagle Block, a prominent federal-period hotel building. A true community development project, it now houses a family restaurant and teaching center for the precision machining trades.

(Photo: James L. Garvin)

Partners:
Southwestern Community Services, Inc.
Paul Mirski Associates, Architects
Ingram Construction Corporation
Preservation Company
Arnold M. Graton Associates, Inc.
DCF Engineering, Inc.

First United Methodist Church, Littleton

Church members chose a high-quality restoration over a less-expensive route to restore circa1901 stained glass windows in danger of collapse. Funds for repair by preservation specialists were raised entirely from member donations and church activities.

(Photo: Ruth Taylor)

Partners:
Stained Glass Resources, Inc.

City of Manchester, Department of Aviation

A confluence of support from the city and preservation groups led to an impressive save of the 1937 Art Deco Terminal Building. The project included a dramatic relocation across an active runway, exterior restoration and new use as the N.H. Aviation Museum.

(Photo: Hutter Construction Company)

Partners:
McFarland-Johnson, Inc.
Warrenstreet Architects, Inc.
Hutter Construction Corporation
N. H. Aviation Museum

New Construction Category

Canterbury Shaker Village

The Shaker Table Restaurant adds a needed function for this internationally significant site, compliments the village's historic structures and enhances the entrance to the Village. Museum staff acted both as project managers and finish carpenters.

(Photo: John Hession)

Partners:
Christopher P. Williams, Architects
Canterbury Shaker Village Construction Team
Kohler & Lewis
SFC Engineering

Education, Planning and Advocacy Category

Charles Canney Camp #5, Rochester

This group, a model for preservation planning and stewardship, reaches across the state to help community groups restore Civil War monuments. Canney Camp members provide valuable help with documentation, fundraising and community education.

(Photo: Charles Canney Camp #5)

Partner:
Rika Smith McNally & Associates

Edward M. Clark

Since the end of World War II, Edward Clark has worked with his family to build and expand Clark's Trading Post in Lincoln, N.H., which - in addition to serving as a popular visitor destination - represents one of New England's most sophisticated and long-lived preservation efforts. Mr. Clark has devoted his mechanical aptitude and boundless energy to acquiring, restoring and interpreting an unparalleled collection of locomotives, log haulers, bridges, dam machinery and other devices that portray New England's legacy of architecture, engineering and transportation history. 

 
(Photo: Northern Heritage Mills, Inc.)

Hooksett Heritage Commission, Kathleen Northrup, Chair

Elizabeth Durfee Hengen Award for Education, Planning and Advocacy

This recently-revived Hooksett Heritage Commission serves as a model for other local groups; it has launched and completed a myriad of effective preservation programs including reprinting a town history, barn survey, oral history project and film, and adopting a former school building.

Honorable Mentions

Robert and Anne Cruess and Alex Vailas

After a seven-year battle over its preservation, the Cruesses and Vailas, together with a strong preservation team and Laconia Savings Bank as a tenant, found a creative re-use solution for the French-Atwood Barn, a prominent landmark of Bedford's agricultural past.

(Photo: Ana Aponovich)

Partners:
TF Moran, Inc.
Berard-Martel Architects, Inc.
Theriault/Landmann Associates
Bedard Preservation & Restoration
John B. Sullivan, Jr. Corporation of NH, Inc.
Laconia Savings Bank

Town of Peterborough

A well-designed and executed accessibility project, guided by the Heritage Commission, allowed a community service organization to use the former Peterborough Academy/Grand Army of the Republic Building. It is now the first fully-accessible public building in town.

(Courtesy Photo)

Partners:
Richard M. Monahon, AIA, Architects
James Rodrigues Hardscapes
Peterborough Heritage Commission
Goyette Fund
Creating Positive Change

Claremont Development Authority, City of Claremont

The high quality restoration and rehabilitation of the prominent Farwell Block's facades helped restore a sense of pride in the historic district and prompted additional investment downtown.

(Photo: David Messier)

Partners:
Sheerr McCrystal Palson Architecture, Inc.
Wesfield Construction Company, Inc.